Cycling accessories and safety equipment consist of anything added to the bike for comfort, utility, or
protection. Choosing the right accessories depends largely on what kind of riding you like to do and the style of bike
you have.

To ride safely in the dark, you not only need to see where you're going, but others need to see you.

If you ride where there are streetlights, choose a
bright white headlight and an LED (Light Emitting Diodes)
taillight. Low-wattage headlights (approximately 6 watts
of power) are bright enough to be seen by approaching
traffic.

If flat tires are a particular problem on your rides, consider buying a puncture-resistant tube

Patch kits are a necessity if you need to repair a tube, either on the road or in the comfort of home

Patch kits typically consist of tire levers (little crowbars that are used to pry the
tire off the rim), rubber patches, tire cement, and a piece of
sandpaper (to rough up the surface of the tube so that the cement will adhere and hold the patch in place)

Other basic tools that are handy to have include screwdrivers, wrenches and allen keys for quick adjustments as
well as a chain tool for taking the chain apart for cleaning and repair

Pumps

To keep your bike running smoothly, it's important to keep the tires inflated to their recommended pressure.
There are three basic types of pumps.

Floor pumps

Larger models designed for home use

They feature a large air chamber and heavy-duty construction that can accommodate high pressures
and repeated use. Many models have a built-in pressure gauge.

Frame-fit pumps

These are designed to fit on your bike frame without the need for mounting hardware

They are good for the occasional emergency, but are not sturdy enough for long-term, constant use

Mini-pumps

Mini-pumps are light, small, and will fit easily in a bike bag or jersey pocket

They can also be mounted under the bottle cage via frame clips

Although the size is convenient, mini-pumps often require a hundred or more strokes to fill
a tire

One other option is a CO2 inflation system

This system provides instant, effortless tire inflation. The cartridges are small, light and easy to carry.
However, this method becomes expensive when used for anything but emergency use.

Water Bottles and Cages

If you plan to ride for more than 15 minutes, you'll probably want to bring along a water bottle

Bottles come in two basic sizes, regular and oversized

If you like your drink to stay cold, look for an insulated bottle or a wide-mouthed model that can handle ice
cubes